How to Display Mini Batting Hats
Mini batting helmets have joined baseball cards, bobble-head dolls and figurines as desirable sports collectibles. They vary in size considerably, from trinkets given away with children's meals at fast-food outlets to half-size, official replicas of the real thing. They also can range in price from free to well over $30 each. It can be challenging or expensive (or both) to complete full sets. But if you've managed the feat, show your collection off with a custom display case you can make at home with a few materials and simple tools. This case will be lightweight and provide a cubicle for each helmet.
Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Basswood boards
- Plastic foam board
- Saw
- Wood glue
- Brads
- Hammer
- Wood stain
- Paint (optional)
- Paint brush
- Picture hanging wire
- Hook
- Screws
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Measure the height, width and depth of a mini batting helmet. Add an inch to each measurement to determine the size of your case and its depth. Assuming that you are collecting Major League Baseball-licensed batting helmets, you will need room for one helmet for each of the 30 teams, perhaps in three rows of 10.
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2
Build the frame. Cut four pieces of basswood -- two for the sides and two for the top and bottom -- to the correct length and depth.
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3
Assemble the frame by gluing the side boards to the top and bottom ones, then securing each joint by hammering in brads long enough to pierce the basswood and anchor into the other piece underneath.
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4
Stain the wood completely. Let it dry according to manufacturer's directions.
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5
Cut out a backing piece from the plastic foam board with the utility knife after sizing it to the frame. Stain or paint it to your preference and let it dry. Glue it to the back of the frame and secure it with brads at each corner.
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6
Cut two shelves from plastic foam board. Make them just slightly shorter than the top and bottom pieces of wood so they can slip into the case tightly. Stain or paint them to your preference and let them dry. Apply glue to both ends of each shelf and insert them into the display box, equidistant from each other and the bottom, which will form the third shelf.
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7
Cut 24 small pieces of plastic foam board, stained and dried, to form the walls of each of the 30 cubicles. Measure carefully so that all cubicles are the same size. Apply glue to each end of each piece. Slide them in between the shelves vertically.
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8
Wrap picture hanging wire around two screws. Screw them into either side of the top of the frame, equidistant from the corners to ensure the case will hang evenly.
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9
Screw a hook into the wall and attach the wire to hang your display case.
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References
- Photo Credit Siri Stafford/Lifesize/Getty Images
